Annual Report 2008-2009 Summary - City of Greater Geelong

Back to
table of
contents
Sport and recreational activities have and
continue to play a major role in Geelong’s
history. The establishment of the Geelong
Football Club in 1859 initially provided an
outlet for local cricketers during the winter
months, but today is often described as the
heart and soul of the town.
Our City and its People
Located some 75 kilometres from the
Melbourne CBD, the City of Greater Geelong
covers 1,245km 2 and comprises country,
coastal and suburban areas. The municipality
is Victoria’s largest regional centre with a
population of over 212,000 people.
The region is characterised by the multi-award
winning Waterfront overlooking Corio Bay, the
picturesque Bellarine Peninsula, the Barwon
River, You Yangs National Park, wetlands,
beautiful parklands and wildlife sanctuaries.
Geelong is also the gateway to the world
renowned coastline of south-west Victoria via the
Great Ocean Road.
Total residential dwellings are estimated at
92,070, spread across more than 50 suburbs
and townships. With the region experiencing
a period of rapid growth, the population in the
next 20 years is expected to exceed 290,000.
A high proportion of this will come from new
‘greenfield’ growth areas identified for
development, most notably Armstrong Creek,
as well as other suburban expansions.
The city is a major centre for investment with
over 15,000 businesses and a highly skilled
workforce of over 121,000 people.
Geelongs proximity to Melbourne, its liveability
and its price advantages continue to place it in
an ideal position to attract new residents
and investment.
Open for Business
Geelong is a City ‘Open for Business’, a
commitment that underpins our approach to
economic development.
While it is recognised that traditional
industries will continue to be key economic
and employment drivers, at the same time
it is critical to focus on growth and emerging
sectors that will underpin prosperity in the new
globalised economy.
‘Open for Business’ is about being open and
flexible, to facilitate rather than regulate, and
to adopt a partnership approach in economic
development activities. Geelong’s community
leaders are united in transitioning the economy
for the future through:
> Providing strong leadership and fostering
regional collaboration.
> Brokering major projects and investment.
> Supporting existing businesses and driving
strategic growth sectors.
Over the past 12 months there has been $826
million invested in the Geelong region from a
large range of sectors, with the highlight being
the completion of the Geelong Ring Road. A
further $678 million worth of redevelopment
and construction is currently underway.
For government, business and investors, this
is a place and time of exciting possibilities –
one where the commitment to be ‘open for
business’ is real, and the drive to be a model for
growth in Australia has just begun.
Annual Report 2008-2009 | City of Greater Geelong 5